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Self-build as a tool to create and empower communities: Ashley Vale in Bristol

Self-build as a tool to create and empower communities: Ashley Vale in Bristol. Anna Hope. The Ashley Vale project: Where, what, when and how?. Ashley Vale is located in a valley bounded by a railway line, a nature reserve and allotments, 1.5 miles from Bristol city centre.

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Self-build as a tool to create and empower communities: Ashley Vale in Bristol

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  1. Self-build as a tool to create and empower communities: Ashley Vale in Bristol Anna Hope

  2. The Ashley Vale project: Where, what, when and how? • Ashley Vale is located in a valley bounded • by a railway line, a nature reserve and allotments, • 1.5 miles from Bristol city centre. • It includes a mix of housing and light industry. • The area has a tradition of community action. In 1999, an industrial site came up for sale and seemed likely to be sold for housing. The local community was concerned and set up an organisation, Ashley Vale Action Group, to oppose generic commercial developments and establish a more sustainable alternative.

  3. Our initial aspirations were: To develop the existing community To give a chance for local people to have a low cost home To make the site a nice place to be To empower people to build their own homes To create a more sustainable living space • What we did: • Community consultation • Develop outline plans – mix of self build homes, affordable housing, work units community room and green space • Advertise for self builders • Submit detailed planning app • Buy the site! • Start building…

  4. Key elements of the project • 28 self-build homes • six self-finish bungalows • six self-finish flats • three work units • a beautiful community room • communal garden • ‘Home Zone’ in nearby road • communal recycling facility

  5. What was successful? • We converted an ugly concrete yard into a beautiful place to live, work and play • At least 2/3 of new homes went to first time buyers • Good environmental standards of homes – energy efficiency and materials • Renewable energy generated on site – 50 kW wood pellet boiler, 25 kW peak solar pV, solar hot water • Self build and self finish provided local employment – good for economy and environment • Work units provide employment space for at least 12 local residents • Self builders have learned new skills and many now have jobs in the building trade • Community facilities are popular, e.g. garden and community room • Safe place for children to play • Improved road safety in local area • Strong feeling of community, people feel empowered to take action together on other issues

  6. Key factors in the project’s success • Feeling of ownership by all involved • Range of skills and experience in the team • Access to grant funding – but not dependence • Private funding from individuals (plot holders) • Team work, economies of scale • Lots of meetings! • Mix of voluntary work and paid work • Good legal support • Persistence, determination, confidence, self belief, passion, luck! • What could have been done better? • Homes are not “affordable” in the long term • No mixed tenure on site • Missed opportunity for more renewables • Better overall site design & clearer ground rules needed up front • More accountable and transparent processes

  7. Challenges • Planning permission/S106 – we were treated in same way as a conventional developer • Renewable energy – challenging to access grants. Slow response times from funders • Land – developers still have the upper hand – local authorities need to allocate land to self build to give this sector a chance to compete Lessons for future community-based projects • Establish a clear mandate and structure for decision making and conflict resolution early on • Make the goals/priorities/rules of the project clear before any money is put on the table • Don’t be afraid to delegate to a professional! • Consultation and engagement – give everyone the opportunity to be involved • Get support from local councillors / MPs • Be ambitious!

  8. What next for Ashley Vale? • Two companies – Ecomotive and Bright Green Futures – have been established to help support others into community self-build • Ecomotive is promoting community led self build across the UK via: • Political lobbying (e.g. via NaSBA) • Site tours & training • Public engagement • Support for academic research • Support to local authorities & enabling developers • Looking for more land locally • Other self builds now starting in local area • Community room as a local hub • Use any proceeds to fund other local projects • E.g. business start-up fund, insulating local homes, local renewable energy generation?

  9. www.ashleyvale.org.uk www.ecomotive.org

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